Temporary initiatives fruitless: Mirwaiz

Rejecting New Delhi’s announcement of a unilateral ceasefire, Hurriyat Conference (M) chairperson Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Thursday said that “temporary initiatives” are fruitless till steps are not taken to address the basic dispute of Kashmir.

“What will happen next month? Will Government of India start killing people of Kashmir again?” the Mirwaiz asked, speaking at a seminar held at the Rajbagh headquarters of the Hurriyat (M).

“Until and unless a comprehensive plan is made to resolve the Kashmir issue, these cosmetic things won’t work,” Mirwaiz said. He said that the “cosmetic measure” will not make any difference on the ground.

The Mirwaiz said that in order to crush the genuine struggle of the people of Kashmir, the Government of India was using repressive measures. However, these will be faced and fought with complete determination by the people of Kashmir, he said.

The Valley’s chief cleric said that Kashmir is not an economic issue but a political problem. He reiterated that it can be resolved only by either implementing the UN Resolutions or through a sustained result-oriented dialogue among India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir.

Paying tributes to his late father Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq, and also to slain Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Lone and the martyrs of the “Hawal Massacre”, Mirwaiz said that the martyrs have put the duty on us to show complete commitment towards the movement.